Walden reaches out communities in IC and LdN

TOMAS CABILI, ILIGAN CITY April 27, 2016- Senatorial candidate, Prof. Walden Bello visited the urban poor and Typhoon Sendong survivors for a conversation regarding the candidate's position on several societal issues. The forum themed "Buhay at Kabuhayang may Dignidad [A Life and Livelihood with Dignity]", was organized by the MindanaOne to support the professor's candidacy as well as Partidong Mangagawa (PM).

Bello elaborated his reasons on withdrawing the position as a representative in the of a certain party-list last year saying that the administration's theme of "Daang Matuwid" in fighting mainly against corruption was no longer walking on its usual path. To remember also, he talked PNoy to remove from office couple members of the cabinet that were proven corrupt, but the petition was dismissed. It somehow stirred up negating his principle on good governance that's why he withdrew.

Bello, as a representative who have been in the House of Representative-he called "snake's nest"- also shared to the grassroots his perception on how would a government becomes corrupt and that there is an evident connection between the capitalists and them, protecting both or the former's interest.

"There is no such thing as clean coal... these plants [coal-fired power stations] must be banned in the Philippines", said Bello when a young lad from Kauswagan, LDN asked about the candidate's position on the non-renewable energy that are currently established in several places in Mindanao, including his town.

The candidate, escorted by the MindanaOne secretariat, headed to Kolambugan and Maranding, LDN to talk with the fisher-folks and farmers.

Women leaders take on Labor Struggles

Cotabato City - Leaders of multi-sector organizations held a meeting morning today to discuss the situation and possible response and interventions to the bad situation of the urban poor, agricultural communities and workers due to the long dry spell.

There were sharing on several issues confronting the poor and workers and efforts that have been done in Cotabato City and Maguindanao province.

There were reports of suicides due to the failure of harvest from Teduray tribe in February and April 2016. Also reports of urban migration and selling of farm animals for their daily needs. The rise of prices of commodities is also felt in the City and province, aside from the failures and low harvest.

The sharing proved interconnectedness of struggles and issues of sectors and peoples.

“With a low labor movement due to the situation also of the workers that are occupied for daily survival than joining organizations, we can add as forces to push forward the struggles among our communities. Let us bring the labor issues and concerns as our fight. The food insufficiency and bad shape of the agricultural sector have link to workers battle for quality and dignified life. Our workers in the urban centers are always affected if the price due to lack of food supply rise. We are also part of the working and oppressed class. We women are half of the world’s population and of no exemption from the effects of the long drought. We can certainly can make a difference if we push harder,” Jo Demit of Kilusang Maralita sa Kanayunan (KILOS KA), a rural poor and peasant movement said.

Mindanao Peoples’ Peace Movement – Cotabato City Chairperson Fatima Ali also expressed that “we are confronted with various issues that are closely interrelated. If you are a farmer, with the current neglect to agriculture of the current system then you are forced to go to urban centers or towards outside of the country, while back in your country your family continued to suffer poverty and unemployment.”

Nora Pendi, the National Vice-Chairperson for Bangsamoro of MindanaOne that is supporting Partido Manggagawa Partylist in the coming May 2016 elections added that, “the labor policies in our country are insensitive to cultures and needs of our people and communities. The likes of women with mini-skirts, it is either you follow the dress code or loss your job even it is not in accordance with your religion and culture. The government keeps on encouraging contractual labor system while our workers are demanding for regular jobs. The government keeps on encouraging mineral exploitation, corporate farming and exportation while our small farmers are demanding sustainable local economy and organic agriculture.’

A member of Tri-Peoples Youth for Change Farhana Tekoken shared that her working friends in the City are receiving below from the minimum wage. And their organization called for investigation in this one concrete labor malpractice in establishments in the city.

“This is certainly the result of economic framework that is measuring development by money, gains and profits and not thru the quality of lives. We have farmers with no foods, workers with no foods, people starving to death with a few rich population. We have a killer system,” Hasmin Bayao of KILOS BAYAN added too.

“We can go on with what we have started in dealing labor issues to really make it our struggle linking it to our fight for gender, climate and social justice and inclusive peace. Sectoral issues and struggles are integral part of our overall struggle for social and political change” Goldy Omelio of MindanaOne – Cotabato City contributed.

The group then agreed to have manifestations and actions towards the May Day (May 1) 2016 to call for justice for the workers and dignified life for all particularly the toiling masses and workers.

“Our struggle is beyond this electoral season and the workers and masses’ struggles must be core to our battle everyday. We propose investigations of the labor malpractices; abolition of contractual labor system; quality support services to agriculture and communities,” Hasmin Bayao concluded. (MindanaOne.18 April 2016)

Not only Farmers, Fishers too!

In a consultation held in Davao City last April 9, 2016, women, fisherfolks, uban poor, religious leaders and parents as participants exchanged views on the impact of the long drought in Mindanao. Early in April 2016 farmers in North Cotabato held a protest action and blocked the Cotabato-Davao road connection to demand food and urgent subsidy to farmers and communities affected by the long drought in the province.

“We are aware of the protest in Kidapawan City and we felt the demands of the protesters,” shared by Renante Parium, a resident in Tibungco, Davao City who attended the consultation.

“But in this crisis, small fishers also are affected. We live in the coastal area and we have felt the effect of El Nino too. Our fishers got low catch and they need to go farther and stayed longer in the ocean to catch more,” he added.

“Seaweeds farmers in this area also have been crying for failures and losses. As their main source of living, it’s very hard for them. And we are never been considered in the discourses and debates in this El Nino phenomenon. We also suffered much in this crisis. We believe that those small fishers like our community in the country have experienced the same,” Mr Parium continued.

MindanaOne National Chairperson Abulcair Balindong, a member of small fishers’ organization in Lanao del Norte when asked about his views, shared that government agencies and all other state apparatus in responding to the impact of the long drought must wear an inclusive lens. “Fishing communities are also affected by the long dry spell. Without rain, the salination of the sea water is so high and that is not good to seaweed production. We cannot hear nor receive any program and service for our communities in this crisis – fishers from the fresh waters and seas. It is time for the government to make its development framework more inclusive,” Mr Balindong said.

Mr Rufino Gonzaga, second nominee of Partido Manggagawa Partylist joined Mr Balindong in MindanaOne’s call for responsible actors in responding the short and long term needs of the small fishing communities without using such services for their personal and partisan interests. “We must not take advantage of the situation. Services must go beyond self-promotion and partisan preservation,” he expressed.

“We are all affected by this crisis. And we will push for these concerns to the concern agencies even after elections,” Mr Gonzaga added.

MindanaOne, a tirpeople political mass movement for peoples’ rights and welfare have also members from fishing communities in Mindanao and is endorsing and campaigning for Partido Manggagawa Partylist in this May 9, 2016 elections. (MindanaOne. 10 April 2016)

Urban Poor leader joins the cry for justice and food for farmers

Malungon, Sarangani - “Enough with cover-ups and justice must be served,” said by Rufino “Jun” Gonzaga, Jr an urban poor leader and organizer based in Iligan City when asked on the violent dispersal against the drought-hit farmers that staged a protest in front of the National Food Authority office in Kidapawan City by the provincial police forces last April 1, 2016. The said protest for food and relief assistance have blocked the Cotabato to Davao City hi-way with an estimated 6,000 farmers and indigenous peoples. The dispersal resulted to three deaths from the protesters and more injuries between camps.

“This is a sad situation for our food producers in the country and the whole world. We have an economic and political system putting agriculture and environment behind profit,” added by Mr Gonzaga.

Mr Gonzaga also asked, “What took it so long for the provincial government to act? Three days have passed and instead of talking to the protesters and have negotiations for possible compromises and or agreements, armed uniformed men were sent with the dispersing units?”

North Cotabato have been declared under the state of calamity by the provincial government by January 2016 and El Nino’s impact have been told by experts and even government agencies and there must be no reason of not being ready.

“As a member of the urban poor community that have been also suffering from high prices of food and the cost of living, the struggle of our farmers is also our struggle. Basic equation is we all eat rice for example and without food the farmers themselves how they could produce foods for the whole society? The shortage of supply will certainly result to increase of prices. It will hurt all of us consuming public. And this is a political matter, we have to work together. My organization, Alliance of Rural and Urban Poor (AKLAS) will launch several solidarity actions to help in the cry for justice beyond food,” Mr Gonzaga continued.

Rufino "Jun" Gonzaga, Jr (in red) with MindanaOne National Chair Johnny Balindong (in white), Datu Leo Ingay of Tagakaulo tribe (in yellow) and Renante Parium (in blue) in one of the stops of MindanaOne campaign for Partido Manggagawa Partylist in Sarangani province.

“The protest have exposed the neglect the to our farmers and our rural communities by the government and have exposed how untrue is the inclusive development that the past and current administrations are boasting. It is only when our development policies and programs made human rights and environment as central then our people and communities can feel real development. Let us give justice to the farmers in North Cotabato and the whole country,” he ended.

Mr Gonzaga is an urban poor leader in Iligan City and a multi-sector organization leader in Lanao del Norte and is the second nominee of Partido Manggagawa Partylist aspiring for congressional seat this May 9, 2016 elections. Joined by MindanaOne volunteers, Jun Gonzaga is in a campaign route around mainland Mindanao this week meeting grassroots organizations and groups.

Partido Manggagawa Partylist have been consistent since its foundation to the cause for the workers and the oppressed pushing Regular Jobs, Quality Public Service, High Wages and Benefits and Low Prices of Commodities. (MindanaOne. 8 April 2016)

Manindigan at Isulong ang KATARUNGAN!

Pahayag ng MindanaOne sa marahas na pagtaboy sa mga nagprotesta para sa pagkain sa Kidapawan City.

"KUNG ANG MISMONG MGA NAGTATANIM NG PAGKAIN AT ANG MGA NAGPAPAKAIN SA MUNDO AY WALA NANG MAKAIN, SADYANG MAY MALAKING MALI SA SISTEMANG ITO!"

Sa pinakamataas na antas ay kinukondena ng MindanaOne ang marahas na tugon ng pamahalaan at pulisya sa lehitimong protesta ng mga magsasaka at maralita sa Kidapawan City nitong Biyernes (ika-1 ng Abril 2016). Ang nasabing protesta ay para sa nararapat na subsidyo para sa mga komunidad at magsasakang apektado ng tagtuyot sa probinsya ng North Cotabato matapos ding nagdeklara ng State of Calamity ang provincial government.

Kasabay sa pagkondenang ito ay ang panawagan ng hustisya para sa mga magsasaka at namatay sa nasabing komprontasyon.

Ang ating sinasabing hustisya dito ay ang direktang pagpapanagot sa mga personalidad na nasa otoridad at hindi lamang ang mga elementong nagsagawa ng nasabing dispersal at pamamaril.

Maliwanag na buwan pa lang ng Pebrero ng taong ito ay dumaraing na ang mga magsasaka at komunidad sa kanayunan dahil sa epekto ng tagtuyot at ang naunang pag-atake ng mga peste sa mga pananim.

Panawagan natin sa Departamento sa Agrikultura at mga pamahalaang lokal na gawing kalahok ang mga komunidad sa pagdedesisyon sa pundo para sa agrikultura lalo na sa mga pundong pang-emerhensya nitong panahon ng tagtuyot at iba pang kalamidad.

Sa pangkalahatan, ang pamahalaan ng Pilipinas ang dapat managot sa sinapit ng ating mga magsasaka at sektor sa agrikultura maging ng ating likas na yaman. Ang mga batas at aksyon ng pamahalaan ay magkatunog, ito ay ang unahin ang interes ng kapitalista kasya sa mamamayan. Ang mga ahensya ng pamahalaan mismo ang nag-anunsyo ng epekto nitong tagtuyot noong taong 2015 pa lang pero ang pagka-hindi handa at pagpapabaya pa rin ang nangibabaw.

Nananawagan din ang MindanaOne na panahon nang ilagay sa sentro ng pagsusulong ng kaunlaran ang kalikasan at karapatang pantao hindi puro tubo at kita.

MindanaOne

katipunanmindanao@gmail.com

www.mindanaonemovement.blogspot.com

1 April 2016

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MindanaOne is a tri-people multi-sectoral political mass movement advancing peoples’ rights and welfare.

Teduray Leader Condemns Kidapawan violent dispersal

6,000 farmers and indigenous peoples from the rural communities of North Cotabato barricaded for four days the Kidapawan to Davao highway in front of the NATIONAL Food Authority warehouse in Kidapawan City. The protest was peacefully to demand for relief subsidy and food assistance for the drought-hit affected farmers and communities until on the 1^st of April 2016 morning the protest was violently dispersed to clear the national road to open to public and private passers.

As an indigenous people or Lumad himself, Timuay Santos Unsad of Teduray tribe in Maguindanao province and a candidate for Provincial Board Member of the province’ first district this coming May 2016 elections expressed his sadness to what happened.

“The plight of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) all over the Philippine archipelago is similar in all aspects. Whether there is El Niño phenomenon or none, they are facing extreme poverty and violation of four (4) bundles of their rights perpetrated by individuals, groups or juridical entities, whether belonging to the State and/or non-State. This is due to oppression, discrimination and deliberate exclusion and lack of government’s concern on their needs” the Timuay said.

“The effect of El Niño phenomenon on the lives of Indigenous Peoples in Maguindanao Province has no difference with that experienced of IPs and farmers in Cotabato Province. Fields were turned brownish. No field crops are left standing green, coupled with field rat infestation. Drinking water is very scarce. Ruminant animals have no more grasses to feed,” he added.

His community and fellow Indigenous peoples are now looking for poisonous root crops called “kayos” in the forests for their survival. Children are now suffering malnutrition. Both adult and children are suffering on all types of illnesses whether as a result of hunger and other causes of sickness.

Asked on the government and concern agencies response, “The calamity assistance of incumbent Provincial, Congressional and Municipal Officials in this election period is insufficient and unsustainable. Forgive me if I cannot see any sustainable solution to mitigate the effect of this phenomenon.”

For Timuay Santos Unsad, “the violent dispersal of thousands of hungry protesters belonging to the Indigenous Peoples and Peasants, resulting to the death of 3 persons, wounding several, many more missing, whether abducted or arrested is a show of lack of respect to human rights and the dignity of human life. Accordingly, this is a law enforcement dispersal operation because the gains of businessmen is more important than the lives of IPs and farmers. “

“With this, I STRONGLY CONDEMN IN HIGHEST TERMS this inhumane response of authorities in situation like this. I call on any levels of government structure to act sensibly on the basic needs of your constituents, whether IPs and Peasants. Act proactively without necessity of demand from your constituents, the fact that the drought have been spelling for many months. Be culture and needs sensitive,” he concluded.

Timuay Santos Unsad in his candidacy, campaigned for a Sustainable Local Economy and a Development framework that cares for environment and peoples. (MindanaOne. April 3, 2016. Cotabato City.)

Stand and Advance JUSTICE!

MindanaOne on the Violent dispersal of protesting farmers for food in Kidapawan City

“If those who planted foods and they who feed the world have no more food themselves, there is indeed a big wrong with the current system!”

In its strongest possible term, MindanaOne condemns the violent response of the government and police to the legitimate protest by 6,000 farmers in Kidapawan City last April1, 2016. The said protest was to demand government subsidy for the communities and farmers affected by the long dry spell in North Cotabato as the province also was declared under state of calamity by the provincial government.

Along with this condemnation is the demand for justice for the farmers and those who died in the violent confrontation.

We mean justice here as holding those personnel and authorities behind the said violent dispersal and shooting and not just those rank and file police officers.

It was since the month of February of this year that farmers and communities have been crying for assistance due to the effect of the El Nino and pest infestations of their farms.

We demand to the Department of Agriculture and local government units to involve communities in deciding the usage of the funds for agriculture and the calamity funds.

Above all, MindanaOne holds the government of the Philippines accountable for what have happened to our farmers and the agricultural sector including that of the natural resources. Policies and actions of the government are of the same tune, to accommodate capitalist interests first before the mass populations. It was government institutions that have pronounced the impact of El Nino to rural and agricultural communities as early as the past year 2015 but ineffectiveness and negligence remained notable.

It is high time now to put environment and human rights at the center of all development efforts and not profit and gains.

MindanaOne

katipunanmindanao@gmail.com

www.mindanaonemovement.blogspot.com

1 April 2016

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MindanaOne is a tri-people multi-sectoral political mass movement advancing peoples’ rights and welfare.